Aberdeen last night made a move to sign Darren Barr, the Falkirk captain and Scotland international defender.

 

The centre-back is out of contract in the summer and, while Aberdeen are unwilling to pay a fee to sign him now, they are prepared to offer Falkirk a substantial cut of any sell on fee should they free him to move north this month.

 

Mark McGhee, the Pittodrie manager, is waiting for a response from both club and player before taking the move further, with Hibernian and John Hughes, Barr’s former manager, also credited with an interest.

Possible swap-deal for McDonald? TBH it would be a good swap. McDonald's a good player ... it just hasn't worked out for him at Aberdeen!

Reds midfielder McDONALD COULD BE PART OF SWAP DEAL

Dons ready to raise Barr as they move for Bairn

 

By Michael Gannon

 

Published: 08/01/2010

 

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1552526

 

Aberdeen will make a January bid to sign Falkirk captain Darren Barr and are ready to offer midfielder Gary McDonald as part of the deal.

 

The transfer window is coming to life with English League 1 side Huddersfield Town poised to make a pre-contract offer to Dons defender Charlie Mulgrew.

 

Both centre half Barr and McDonald are out of contract in the summer and available on free transfers. The Bairns are resigned to losing the Scotland international for nothing at the end of the season but could be persuaded to part company early in exchange for McDonald.

 

McDonald was offered a contract extension at Pittodrie before Christmas but negotiations have not progressed and he could now be set for an exit.

 

The 27-year-old former Kilmarnock midfielder is a regular in the Dons side but, with his value depreciating as his contract winds down, the Pittodrie club view the transfer window as the ideal time to cash in.

 

The move hinges on the players agreeing to the move as both clubs are operating within strict budgets.

 

Barr is also a target for former Falkirk manager John Hughes, who is keen on taking the 24-year-old to Hibs, and there are several other interested clubs on both sides of the border. The highly-rated centre back has made more than 100 appearances for the Bairns and received his first Scotland cap in the Hampden friendly 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland last August.

 

He retained his place in George Burley’s squad for qualifying matches against Macedonia and Iceland and is tipped to be a regular at international level.

 

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee signed centre back Jerel Ifil in the summer but is looking to strengthen all areas of his team and is keen to build a core of talented young players.

 

Barr’s versatility will appeal to McGhee, particular as defender Maurice Ross’s short term deal expires in a fortnight and he has yet to commit to a prolonged stay.

 

The Dons manager is also wary he could lose fellow defender Mulgrew in the summer. Mulgrew has entered the final six months of his contracts at Pittodrie and can speak to other clubs.

 

Former Scotland under-21 international Mulgrew has several suitors, including ambitious First Division side Dundee, but Huddersfield are ready to make an official approach.

 

Mulgrew, who is the Dons leading goalscorer this season with four goals, has received an improved offer at Pittodrie after an initial proposed deal was rejected. The player has not ruled out staying at the club.

 

Former Dons target Paul Obiefule yesterday started training with his new club HBK Honefoss to end any ambiguity surrounding his availability.

Regarding Mulgrew, if Huddersfield is the extent of his ambitions then 

 

Would be astounded, but pleasantly surprised if Darren Barr ends up at Pittodrie

Barr move interesting as hibs have been stalling (possibly due to Hughes leaving to England).

Huddersfield are a decent club to be fair, been banging a lot of goals in this season and play attacking football, think they'd suit Mulgrew.

 

Anyway Barr is a good defender and would be happy with that deal, good to see McGhee using different techniques to get a player but doubt Falkirk would let him go without a fee just now when they are in a relegation battle.

Regarding Mulgrew, if Huddersfield is the extent of his ambitions then 

 

Would be astounded, but pleasantly surprised if Darren Barr ends up at Pittodrie

 

Agree on both counts Al. Does make me wonder what the future holds for Zander though...

Barr move interesting as hibs have been stalling (possibly due to Hughes leaving to England).

 

He just ruled himself out of Burnley job or leaving Hibs....quite how he thought he'd get an EPL job I am not sure.

 

If McGhee is looking to sign Barr then surely one of Diamond, Ifil, or Considine are heading for the exit?

 

The only other explanation I can think of is MM plans to play Barr at right back, a position he doesn't look comfortable or plays well in imo.

If McGhee is looking to sign Barr then surely one of Diamond, Ifil, or Considine are heading for the exit?

 

The only other explanation I can think of is MM plans to play Barr at right back, a position he doesn't look comfortable or plays well in imo.

 

Was just about to say that. Would assume its Diamond as cannot see anyone wanting Considine at the moment and cannot see MM selling a player that he spent almost all his budget on in the summer this early.

 

Agree about right back comment as well looks nowhere near as good a player at right back.

If ZD is still a sellable asset then it makes sense to punt him and take cash now. If we could also get Barr then he is likely to be another sellable asset (albeit, a chunk going to Falkirk) as well as a reasonable repacement. It makes good business sense although a little disruptive on the football side. Find it hard ot see Barr coming to Pittodire unless Falkirk are in control (unlikely) and the prospect of getting McDonald rather than nothing swings it.

 

May in the paper saying he would rather keep Barr to the end of the season.

Was just about to say that. Would assume its Diamond as cannot see anyone wanting Considine at the moment and cannot see MM selling a player that he spent almost all his budget on in the summer this early.

 

Agree about right back comment as well looks nowhere near as good a player at right back.

 

If ZD is still a sellable asset then it makes sense to punt him and take cash now. If we could also get Barr then he is likely to be another sellable asset (albeit, a chunk going to Falkirk) as well as a reasonable repacement. It makes good business sense although a little disruptive on the football side. Find it hard ot see Barr coming to Pittodire unless Falkirk are in control (unlikely) and the prospect of getting McDonald rather than nothing swings it.

May in the paper saying he would rather keep Barr to the end of the season.

 

We know that sort of posturing will always follow specualtion, managers, agents etc do their negotiations in the media as much as behind closed doors. However, like I said, it is unlikely to come off for sure.

I'm just pleased to see us go after a good player. 

Aberdeen FC set for Barr battle

McGhee ready to start talks for Falkirk star

 

By Charlie Allan

 

Published: 18/01/2010

 

ABERDEEN FC were today stepping up their bid to sign Falkirk defender Darren Barr.

 

Boss Mark McGhee was set to make a formal approach to the Bairns as he attempts to bring Scotland international Barr on board this month.

 

Aberdeen FC face stiff competition from Hibs, Hearts and Dundee, who also plan to hold talks with Barr this week.

 

McGhee hopes to convince the 24-year-old to come to Pittodrie, but admitted he could be hampered by a lack of cash.

 

For more on this story and bumper coverage of Aberdeen FC, pick up a copy of today's Evening Express.

Pie in sky stuff

About as much chance of his name sake Roseanne wearing an AFC shirt

 

C'mon McGhee prove me wrong please

According to Daily Retard Barr has already spoken to Hibs and they are only Scottish club to have made an approach so far. Surely if we were as keen to sign him as EE is suggesting then we would have spoken to him already.

i can't really see it tbh

we seem to struggle to attract players of any quality these days

 

i'd love to be proved wrong tho

 

Mulgrew, who is the Dons leading goalscorer this season with four goals, has received an improved offer at Pittodrie after an initial proposed deal was rejected. The player has not ruled out staying at the club.

 

 

Good grief, how crap are we,  our top scorer 

 

A. is a defender

B. has amassed all of 4 goals

Good grief, how crap are we,  our top scorer 

 

A. is a defender

B. has amassed all of 4 goals

 

Hearts are interested in Mulgrew apparently - according to my colleague at work - just in case you thought it was an exclusive 

I wonder if there is any coincidence that Barr was not playing last night in the defeat to Killie?

 

STAND FREE!!

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee will step up his bid to sign Darren Barr during January rather than wait to secure the Falkirk defender when his contract ends in the summer. (Various)

 

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee says he will have to "be creative" to land Darren Barr in January as his club cannot afford to pay a fee to Falkirk for the defender. (The Herald)

 

Pressgang?

 

Seems to me to be an almighty waste of time.

 

See McLean, Paterson and Hughes. Then again if we are getting shite like Ifil I'd rather we just didn't bother.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee says he will have to "be creative" to land Darren Barr in January as his club cannot afford to pay a fee to Falkirk for the defender. (The Herald)

 

I presume the "creative" bit will be off loading one or some of our players to them, but we've already tried that have we not?

be creative = lose out (again)